UPDATE: Wood County BOE Discusses Naming Bleachers for Eschbacher

The Wood County Board of Education is close to naming the home side bleachers at Erickson Field for a beloved Parkersburg South principal.

But in so doing, members want to make sure they are not setting a precedent.

The school system traditionally has had a two-year waiting period to name property in someone's honor.

But as soon as its next meeting March 24th, it may waive that requirement to rename the home bleachers at Erickson Field for former Parkersburg South principal Tom Eschbacher.

"The steel for the bleachers is scheduled to be delivered March 31st," Rick Bush, President of the Erickson Corporation, told the board Tuesday. "The process of getting fire marshal approval is well along. If Tom had retired last June or July, I wouldn't be here; we'd wait our two years. (But) under the circumstances he left us, I think it's fair."

Eschbacher died last July, after a long battle with brain cancer.

The board Tuesday expressed its support for naming the bleachers in his honor.

But members are also considering changes in its policy of naming board of education facilities.

UPDATE 8/1/2014 10:30 AM

A routine Wood County Board of Education meeting becomes a night of remembrance.

The board discussed the possibility of re-naming the Erickson All-Sports Facility home bleachers in honor of the late Parkersburg South High School principal, Tom Eschbacher.

President of the Erickson Committee, Rick Bush, says after a bid by Southern Bleachers Company, 4,000 bleachers would cost $600,000.

Money's not the only hurdle though.

In order for the Eschbacher bleachers to become a reality, the board will have to waive a current policy stating an employee must be out of the system for two years in order to name a project.

"After the memorial service the other night, Mr. Eschbacher had expressed as one of his final wishes that no one bring flowers, but instead make a donation to Erickson. And we walked out of there the other night with approximately $3,000 in new donations," says Bush.

The policy does not include death of an employee.

With a unanimous vote, the board voted to form a committee to review the current policy and report at the next meeting, August 5th.

UPDATE 7/28/2014 10:30 AM

One week after a tragic loss for the Parkersburg South community, a movement is underway to commemorate principal Tom Eschbacher under the Friday night lights.

The Erickson Committee is continuing construction of a new set of home bleachers at the Erickson All-Sports Facility.

The group wants to name those bleachers in honor of Eschbacher.

The 51-year-old died Friday, July 18 after a long battle with brain cancer.

But school board policy says any naming will have to wait for at least 2 years.

The committee wants the board to make an exception.

"I have not heard a negative thought from anyone that this would be a bad idea. So we're hoping that the school board will take some action now instead of requiring it to happen two years from now. If they don't, we can be patient," says Rick Bush, President of the Erickson Committee.

Bush says his group hopes to complete the bleachers in time for football season next year.

That will add an additional 4,800 seats.

Until then the committee awaits word from the board.

UPDATE 7/23/2014 12:35 PM

Hundreds showed up Tuesday night to pay their respects to a beloved school leader.

The high school's auditorium was packed Tuesday night with friends, family and students wanting to pay their respects.

Also there, the school's band and choir.

A fitting farewell for a man who began his career in music education.

Through the tears, many shared their stories of the man who they say devoted his life to Parkersburg South.

"He was just well loved and well respected as you can tell by the turnout of the community here tonight. And the kids that had him and he probably had a positive impact on their lives. What I remember most is his door was always open," says Mad Max.

"Mr. Eschbacher was a very kind hearted man. He always shared a smile with you when you passed in the hallway. He always made you feel like he cared," says Michaelyn Busch, 2014 PSHS graduate.

Eschbacher's temporary successor was appointed and it's someone who is no stranger to the high school or to the Wood County school system in general.

Tim McCartney served as Eschbacher's assistant until retiring this past school year.

McCartney will serve in that role until a permanent successor is named.

UPDATE 7/22/2014 4:20 PM

The principal of Parkersburg South High School will be remembered Tuesday night at a public memorial service.

Thomas Eschbacher passed away last Friday from brain cancer.

He was 51.

His memorial service begins Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the high school.

Meanwhile, Eschbacher's temporary successor has been appointed.

And it's someone who is no stranger to the high school or to the Wood County school system in general.

Tim McCartney served as Eschbacher's assistant until McCartney retired this past school year.

McCartney will serve in that role until a permanent successor is named.

UPDATE 7/18/2014 4:45 PM

A long time principal of Parkersburg South High School died early Friday morning.

Officials with Wood County Schools say Principal Tom Eschbacher died in the hospital at 1:30 Friday morning.

In 2008 we reported Eschbacher was battling a brain tumor.

After posting the news to our WTAP Television Facebook page, there were over 100 shares in less than an hour and dozens of comments from the South community, sharing their memories of the principal and condolences for his family.

In 2009 Eschbacher was named West Virginia Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

"Parkersburg South lost a dedicated administrator who loved Parkersburg South and loved the students," says Superintendent John Flint. "Tom was a tremendous leader. He had the ability to make a decision and follow through. He was good for students."

As the former athletic director at Parkersburg South Flint says he worked closely with Eschbacher and he will greatly miss him.

Officials with Wood County Schools say Parkersburg South High School Principal Tom Eschbacher died Friday morning.

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